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EU urges Sri Lanka war crimes investigation

By Bernard Hibbitts (editor) and University of Pittsburgh School of Law students.

[JURIST] The Council of the European Union on Monday called for an independent inquiry into possible war crimes committed during the Sri Lanka civil war. Meeting in Brussels, the General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) said that it was "appalled by the loss of innocent lives as a result of the conflict and by the high numbers of casualties, including children" and urged both the Sri Lankan Government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) to "fully respect their obligations under international ... law." Describing the LTTE as a "terrorist organisation," the Council called on them to lay down their arms and renounce violence "once and for all," while cautioning the Government "that fighting terrorism must be done in full respect for the rule of law and Human Rights." Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa declared victory in the country's 26-year civil war which has resulted in over 70,000 deaths after LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran was found dead on Monday. In March, the Sri Lankan Government denied allegations by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay that 2,800 civilian deaths caused by recent military action against the LTTE may constitute war crimes. In February, Human Rights Watch (HRW) released a report alleging that both the Sri Lankan government and the LTTE are guilty of human rights violations. Earlier this year, Pillay condemned the deteriorating conditions of those trapped in the Vanni region, and called for investigations and prosecutions for the killings and other human rights abuses. HRW has repeatedly accused both sides of violations, and since 2007 has also criticized the government's de facto internment centers and its role in the increase in unlawful killings and other human rights violations.

Full post as published by JURIST - The Paper Chase on May 19, 2009 (boomark / email).